There’s a moment every 3D printing enthusiast faces. You’re scrolling through incredible, multi-colored models online—articulated dragons with gradient wings, intricate board game pieces in team colors, vibrant household gadgets—and you feel a surge of inspiration. You want to bring that same level of creativity to your own print bed. But then, reality hits. To get that beautiful blue, you need a full 1kg spool. For that perfect green, another kilo. And for that subtle grey, yet another. Suddenly, your workspace is a teetering tower of massive spools, many of which you’ve only used for a single, small print. This isn’t just a storage nightmare; it’s a significant investment in plastic that might sit collecting dust for months. We’ve been there, staring at a half-used spool of magenta, wondering if we’ll ever need that specific shade again. This is the precise dilemma the SUNLU PLA+ Filament 1.75mm 8 Pack Mini Spool aims to solve: offering a rich palette of colors in manageable, project-friendly sizes.
What to Consider Before Buying 3D Printing Supplies and Printers
A 3D printer and its accompanying materials are more than just hobbyist items; they are key tools for innovation, education, and creation. From engineers prototyping new parts to artists bringing digital sculptures to life, and even homeowners printing custom repair brackets, this technology transforms ideas into tangible objects. The main benefit is the power of rapid, on-demand manufacturing right on your desktop. However, diving in without understanding the landscape can lead to frustration. The filament you choose is just as critical as the printer itself, as it directly impacts print quality, strength, and appearance.
The ideal customer for a filament bundle like this is a hobbyist, a beginner finding their footing, or an experienced maker who needs a variety of colors for smaller, detailed projects. It’s perfect for those who want to experiment without the financial commitment or storage burden of eight full-sized spools. Conversely, this product might not be suitable for those running a print farm or producing large, single-color objects, where buying in bulk is more economical. For users who are more interested in extreme speed and printing with engineering-grade materials, a more advanced printer and specialized filament would be a better path. Before you invest in any part of the 3D printing ecosystem, it’s crucial to understand the foundational elements.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Printer Type and Build Volume: Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printers are the most common for consumers and are what this SUNLU filament is designed for. Consider the build volume (the maximum size of an object you can print) and whether you need an open-frame design for easy access or an enclosed one for printing temperature-sensitive materials like ABS.
- Filament Material and Properties: PLA (Polylactic Acid) is the go-to for beginners due to its ease of use and low printing temperature. PLA+, like the one in this SUNLU pack, is a toughened version offering better strength and layer adhesion. Other materials like PETG offer more durability and heat resistance, while TPU is flexible. Your project’s requirements should dictate your filament choice.
- Spool Size and Compatibility: Standard filament spools are 1kg. The 0.25kg mini spools in this pack are great for variety but may not be compatible with all automatic material systems (AMS), which are designed for standard sizes. Always check the physical dimensions of the spool and your printer’s holder or AMS specifications.
- Ease of Use and Community Support: Especially for printers, consider features like auto bed leveling, which dramatically reduces setup frustrations. A large, active online community for a particular brand or model is an invaluable resource for troubleshooting, upgrades, and getting the most out of your machine.
Choosing the right printer is the first step in a larger journey. While the SUNLU PLA+ Filament 1.75mm 8 Pack Mini Spool is an excellent choice for adding color to your projects, understanding the hardware is key. For a broader look at affordable and capable machines, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- Up to 16 Colors: Bring your designs to life with vibrant multi-color/multi-material printing capabilities, perfect for showcasing your creativity. Note: Connecting Bambu Lab AMS is required.
- High-Speed Precision: Experience unparalleled speed and precision with the Bambu Lab A1 Mini 3D Printer. With an impressive acceleration of 10,000 mm/s², the A1 Mini delivers blazing-fast printing...
- 【Multicolor Printing with CFS】The Creality K2 Pro 3D printer is compatible with the CFS Smart Filament System, enabling advanced multicolor and multi-material printing for more creative works.
First Impressions: A Rainbow in a Box
Upon receiving the SUNLU PLA+ Filament 1.75mm 8 Pack Mini Spool, the first thing we noticed was the compact and efficient packaging. The eight 0.25kg spools arrived neatly packed in a single box, each one individually vacuum-sealed with a desiccant packet—a critical detail for keeping filament dry and ready to print. The colors included are a fantastic starter set: Black, White, Grey, Burlywood, Bluegrey, Pink, GrassGreen, and Purple. This isn’t just a primary color pack; the inclusion of Burlywood and Bluegrey offers more subtle and sophisticated options. The spools themselves are made of sturdy cardboard, which is a nice eco-friendly touch compared to plastic spools. Each is clearly labeled with the material (PLA+) and color. Holding them, you immediately appreciate the “mini spool” concept. They are lightweight and easy to handle, a stark contrast to the unwieldy 1kg spools we’re used to. It felt less like a bulk supply and more like a painter’s palette, ready for creative expression. For anyone looking to explore multi-color printing without breaking the bank, the initial unboxing experience is both exciting and practical.
Key Benefits
- Excellent color variety for multi-part projects or experimentation.
- Mini spool size (0.25kg) reduces filament waste and storage space.
- PLA+ formulation offers improved strength and durability over standard PLA.
- Great value, providing 2kg of total filament at an affordable price point.
Potential Drawbacks
- Colors can be less vibrant than depicted in product images.
- Requires specific tuning (higher temperature, slower speed) for optimal results.
Deep Dive: Putting the SUNLU Rainbow to the Test
A filament pack can look great in the box, but its true worth is measured on the print bed. We spent extensive time testing each color across various models, from functional prints to detailed miniatures, to see how the SUNLU PLA+ Filament 1.75mm 8 Pack Mini Spool performs under pressure. Our findings reveal a filament that offers incredible value, but one that rewards those willing to put in a little effort to dial it in perfectly.
Print Quality and The Art of Dialing In
Out of the box, our first instinct was to load the black PLA+ and run it with our standard PLA profile, which typically sits around 200°C nozzle and 60°C bed temperature. The result was underwhelming. We experienced some poor layer adhesion and a slightly rough surface finish, leading to a failed print. This echoed the feedback from some users who struggled initially. One user noted, “I got first 5 prints failed, until I realized that the nozzle temperature must be raised from usual 200 Celsius up to 225 Celsius.” Taking this to heart, we methodically printed a temperature tower, starting at 210°C and going up to 235°C as recommended by SUNLU. The difference was night and day. We found the sweet spot for our printer (a Creality Ender 3 V2) to be right around 225°C for the nozzle and 60°C for the bed. At this temperature, the filament flowed smoothly and consistently. Layer lines became almost invisible, and the layer adhesion was superb, creating parts that felt remarkably strong and solid—living up to the PLA+ name. We also followed another user’s advice to slightly decrease print speed, dropping from our usual 150mm/s to around 100mm/s for more detailed prints. This combination of higher heat and controlled speed eliminated stringing and produced clean, crisp results across all eight colors. The takeaway here is crucial: do not treat this like standard PLA. A quick temperature tower print is a small time investment that pays massive dividends in quality, a step that truly unlocks the excellent performance this filament is capable of.
A Spectrum of Possibilities: Color Variety vs. Vibrancy
The primary draw of this pack is undeniably the color selection. Having eight distinct colors on hand is liberating. We could print a functional part in a subtle Grey, a decorative vase in a lovely Pink, and a whimsical miniature in GrassGreen without ever having to place a new order. The Burlywood is a standout, offering a convincing, low-sheen wood-like appearance that’s perfect for certain models. The Bluegrey is another sophisticated shade that you don’t often find in starter packs. However, we must address a recurring point from user feedback: color vibrancy. One user mentioned, “Colors aren’t as vibrant as you would expect… Some colors look better than others but lack vibrancy.” Our testing confirms this observation. The colors are not the hyper-saturated, glossy shades you might see from some premium brands. Instead, they have a more muted, almost pastel or matte quality to them. The GrassGreen is more of a gentle lawn green than a neon green, and the Purple is a soft lavender rather than a deep royal purple. We don’t see this as a defect, but rather a characteristic. For many projects, this softer palette is actually preferable and lends a more professional finish. However, if your project demands eye-popping, high-gloss vibrancy, you should set your expectations accordingly. This pack excels at providing a broad and useful palette, and you can see the full color range and user-submitted photos to judge for yourself.
The Mini Spool Advantage and Its Limitations
The 0.25kg spool format is, for us, a game-changer for project-based printing. It drastically lowers the barrier to entry for trying new colors. We were able to complete dozens of small-to-medium-sized prints without making a significant dent in any single spool. This format is perfect for printing things like board game components, multi-part assemblies, or simply testing a color scheme before committing to a larger print. It also solves the filament storage issue. However, this format has two key limitations. First, as one user disappointedly noted, the spools are physically small (“4.5 inches across”). While perfect for most standard spool holders, they are not compatible with systems like the Bambu Lab AMS, which is designed for 1kg spools. We confirmed this; they are too small in diameter and width to fit properly. This is a critical consideration if you own an automated multi-material system. Second, 250 grams isn’t a lot of filament for large-scale projects. If you’re planning to print a full-size helmet or a massive architectural model, you’ll likely run out mid-print. The mini spool shines for variety and small jobs, not for volume production.
Winding, Reliability, and Ensuring a Smooth Print
SUNLU prominently advertises their “Neatly Wound” technology to prevent tangles, a notorious print-killer. For the seven of the eight spools we tested, this claim held true. The filament was perfectly spooled, feeding off the roll without a single snag or knot through multiple long prints. The dimensional accuracy was also impressive, measuring consistently at 1.74mm-1.76mm with our calipers, well within the advertised +/- 0.02mm tolerance. This consistency is vital for preventing clogs and ensuring even extrusion. However, we did encounter an issue with one spool, the Pink, which exhibited some of the problems a few users have reported. One review stated the filament “started to crack – super brittle,” while another complained of “extreme tangling.” Our Pink spool felt slightly more brittle than the others and had one minor crossover in the winding about halfway through that required intervention to prevent a tangle. This suggests that while the winding process is generally excellent, occasional quality control issues can slip through. To mitigate this, we always recommend proper filament storage in a dry box, as moisture absorption is the number one cause of brittleness in PLA. Even with one less-than-perfect spool, the overall reliability and value of the SUNLU PLA+ Filament 1.75mm 8 Pack Mini Spool remains exceptionally high.
What Other Users Are Saying
The general consensus on the SUNLU PLA+ Filament 1.75mm 8 Pack Mini Spool is one of conditional praise. Many users, like one who called it “just FANTASTIC,” found it to be their “go-to filament” once they figured out the correct print settings. This highlights the most common theme: the filament performs beautifully, but only after being dialed in at higher temperatures and sometimes slower speeds than standard PLA. The value proposition is another frequently praised aspect, with one succinct review simply stating, “Many colors for an amazing price.”
On the critical side, the feedback clusters around a few key issues. The most prevalent is the need for tuning, which can frustrate beginners expecting a plug-and-play experience. Complaints about muted colors and spools not fitting in AMS systems are also common, representing valid limitations for specific use cases. The most serious negative feedback involves reports of tangles and brittle filament, which points to potential inconsistencies in quality control. Overall, the user feedback paints a picture of a high-value product that rewards a small amount of user effort with great results.
Upgrading Your Multi-Color Experience: How the SUNLU Pack Compares to Integrated Systems
The SUNLU PLA+ Filament 1.75mm 8 Pack Mini Spool represents the hands-on, budget-friendly approach to multi-color 3D printing. You manually swap colors as needed. But for those who become truly passionate about multi-color creation, the market offers more advanced, integrated solutions. Here’s how this filament pack stacks up against investing in a whole new printer setup.
1. Creality K2 Plus Combo 3D Printer
- Multicolor Printing with CFS: The K2 Plus Combo includes the K2 Plus 3D printer and one CFS (Color Filament System) unit. The CFS has four slots to hold different filament colors simultaneously. With...
- Ultra-Fast Speed & High Precision: Achieve an incredible 600mm/s print speed with up to 30,000mm/s² acceleration while maintaining fine details at 0.05mm precision. Despite its speed, the printer...
The Creality K2 Plus Combo is essentially the next logical step up from manual filament swapping. It’s a high-speed printer that comes with an integrated multi-filament system capable of handling up to 16 colors automatically. Someone would prefer the K2 Plus if their primary goal is printing complex, multi-color models without constant manual intervention. While our SUNLU pack provides the colors, the K2 Plus provides the automation. If you find yourself constantly pausing prints to change spools and dream of creating seamless, intricate gradients and colorful models in a single print job, the investment in a system like the K2 Plus would be justified.
2. ANYCUBIC Kobra S1 Combo Multicolor 3D Printer
- 【Multicolor Printing Up to 8 Colors】The Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo can achieve 4-color printing. With 2 Anycubic Ace Pros are combined, you can then unleash max 8-color printing to bring you even...
- 【Ace Pro More Than Just Active Drying】Active drying、intelligent mult-filament drying and anti-entanglement design improve the success of printing. Dual PTC heating module + 360° hot air...
The ANYCUBIC Kobra S1 Combo tackles two common printing problems at once: multi-color management and filament moisture. Its ACE PRO system not only handles 4 different colors automatically but also actively dries the filament while printing. This is a massive advantage for print quality and reliability, especially for materials prone to absorbing moisture. A user might choose the Kobra S1 over just buying the SUNLU filament pack if they live in a humid environment or want to eliminate filament brittleness and print failures caused by moisture. It offers a complete, quality-controlled ecosystem for those who prioritize reliability and convenience above all.
3. Comgrow K1C 3D Printer 600mm/s
- Faster and More Efficient: Creality K1C 3d printer, equips 600mm/s printing speed and 20000mm/s² acceleration, it is12 times faster than the other normal 3d printer. Give good printing experience to...
- Convenient Operation: Creality K1C is well assembled and tested before shipment. After unboxing, it is ready for plug and play. The boot-up guide is similar to that of a new smartphone. 3 minutes from...
The Creality K1C represents a different kind of upgrade. While it doesn’t offer a native multi-color system like the others, its focus is on raw speed and material capability. Capable of printing at 600mm/s and featuring a 300°C all-metal hotend, the K1C is built for performance and handling abrasive materials like carbon fiber-infused filaments. A maker would choose the K1C if their interest has shifted from colorful PLA models to creating strong, functional parts from engineering-grade materials. If you start with the SUNLU PLA+ pack and find your passion lies more in the strength and utility of your prints rather than their color, the K1C is the upgrade path for speed and power.
Final Verdict: An Essential Palette for the Creative Maker
After extensive testing, our verdict on the SUNLU PLA+ Filament 1.75mm 8 Pack Mini Spool is overwhelmingly positive, with a few important caveats. This is not a premium, one-size-fits-all filament. It requires a bit of tuning—specifically a higher nozzle temperature around 225°C—to unlock its true potential. The colors are functional and pleasant rather than intensely vibrant, and the mini spools are incompatible with most automated material systems. However, once you understand these characteristics, what you get is an incredible value. For a very reasonable price, you get a wide palette of strong, reliable PLA+ that enables a massive range of creative projects without the waste and cost of buying eight full-sized spools.
We highly recommend this pack to 3D printing hobbyists, beginners who want to learn how to dial in their printer with different materials, and anyone who needs a diverse color library for small to medium-sized prints. It’s the perfect way to add a splash of color to your creations without cluttering your workspace. If you’re ready to expand your filament collection and unleash your creativity, this is one of the smartest and most affordable ways to do it. You can check the current price and see more user projects here.
Last update on 2025-11-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API